Multiple Myeloma

At West Cancer Center, we are committed to providing each patient with the most individualized and comprehensive care possible. Our multidisciplinary approach provides each patient with a dedicated team of experts for your multiple myeloma treatment.

At West Cancer Center, we are committed to providing each patient with the most individualized and comprehensive care possible. Our multidisciplinary approach provides each patient with a dedicated team of experts for your multiple myeloma treatment.

Your Care

West Cancer Center is positioned as the region’s comprehensive leader in adult cancer and hematology care. Our nationally-renowned team of hematologists and oncologists at West Cancer Center offers an unparalleled multiple myeloma treatment plan for patients across the Mid-South region – collaborating with West’s leaders in hematologic oncology, radiation therapy, research and our Blood and Marrow Transplant program to provide each patient with most individualized care possible.

Your Diagnosis

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a plasma cell – a type of white blood cell. Multiple myeloma causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow, where they essentially overtake healthy blood cells. The myeloma cells build up in the marrow of your bones, creating tumors and preventing the one marrow from producing the healthy blood cells that your body needs.

A patient with multiple myeloma symptoms may have one or more of the following procedures to determine your diagnosis:

Physical Exam

Blood tests: a sample of blood is tested to determine potentially abnormal levels that may indicate the possibility of cancer.

Urine tests: your physician may order a urine test to help determine any abnormal levels that may indicate the possibility of multiple myeloma.

Imaging: your physician may perform one or more imaging tests – including CT scan and/or PET scan – to detect any bone problems or abnormalities associated with multiple myeloma.

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: a procedure to collect and examine bone marrow. This procedure is used to diagnose and monitor blood and marrow diseases

Your Diagnosis

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a plasma cell – a type of white blood cell. Multiple myeloma causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow, where they essentially overtake healthy blood cells. The myeloma cells build up in the marrow of your bones, creating tumors and preventing the one marrow from producing the healthy blood cells that your body needs.

A patient with multiple myeloma symptoms may have one or more of the following procedures to determine your diagnosis:

Physical Exam

Blood tests: a sample of blood is tested to determine potentially abnormal levels that may indicate the possibility of cancer.

Urine tests: your physician may order a urine test to help determine any abnormal levels that may indicate the possibility of multiple myeloma.

Imaging: your physician may perform one or more imaging tests – including CT scan and/or PET scan – to detect any bone problems or abnormalities associated with multiple myeloma.

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: a procedure to collect and examine bone marrow. This procedure is used to diagnose and monitor blood and marrow diseases

Your Treatment Plan

Your multiple myeloma treatment plan will vary depending on multiple factors. Your dedicated team of hematologists and cancer experts will discuss your treatment options and plan with you, allowing you and your loved ones to consider all possible treatment options for your diagnosis.

Potential treatment options for your diagnosis include:

Blood & stem cell transplantation: this treatment includes destroying cancerous bone marrow cells through chemotherapy and, in some cases, radiation therapy. These cells are then replaced with healthy stem cells through stem cell transplantation. To learn more about West Cancer Center’s Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, click here.

Chemotherapy: a drug therapy designed to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells, combinations of chemotherapy may be used for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Targeted Therapies: a type of drug therapy that targets specific abnormalities within cancer cells that allow them to survive. This “personalized” medicine is less about a “one-size-fits-all” approach to cancer treatment, and more tailored to your specific cancer.

Radiation therapy: radiation therapy is the use of high-powered radiation beams to kill cancer cells. Your physician may recommend this therapy to relieve pain in patients whose cancer may have spread to the bone. To learn more Radiation Oncology and the types of radiation therapies offered at West Cancer Center,click here.

Find a Clinical Trial

Find a Clinical Trial

West Cancer Center provides our patients access to the newest, most promising therapies through the opportunity to participate in clinical trials. Click the button below to browse our clinical trial opportunities for your specific cancer type.

WINGS Support Services

WINGS Support Services

West Cancer Center patients are never alone in their fight. Our WINGS Support Services program is committed to providing each and every patient – and their loved ones – with the individualized support they need, throughout their cancer journey.